XXIV. An Account of the Hospital of St. Mary Magdalen near Scroby in Nottinghamshire, by John XXV. A Discourse about some Roman Antiquities discover'd near Conquest in Somersetshire, supposed to be the Place where the Romans Conquest of Bri- tain was compleated. By an anonymous Author. 441 XXVI. A Discourse concerning Stone-Henge. From 480 1 THE PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. THE Robert of Gloucester, mentioned in the printed Life of St. Thomas Cantilupe, different from the Author of the Chronicle, and even from the other Roberts of Gloucester spoke of in my Preface to that Chronicle. §. 1. Yet he seems to have been in the vigour of his Age at the time of the Chronicler's Death, AMistake of Bishop Godwin's. §. II. No reason, from the time in which they lived, to take Robert of Gloucester the Historian and Robert of Gloucester the Secretary to be one and the same person. The Historians in former Times were the Religious, who often lost their first Sirnames, dnd, upon compiling their famous Works, were sirnamed anew from the Houses of which they were Members. §. III. Yet there were rather more that retain'd their first Sirnames, after they became noted for their Writings. John Wethamstede of a greater character than Matthew Paris: The Historical Passages in Dr. Gascoigne's Theological Dictionary should b 4 i should be published. §. IV. Among others that retain'd their original Sirnames was Peter Langtoft, who, besides his Translation into French Rhythms of Bosenham or Boscam's Life of Thomas à Becket, compiled a Chronicle of England in French. §. v. This Peter Langtoft seems to have died in the beginning of K. Edw. II's Reign, and to have been buried at Bridlington with much such another Epitaph as that to the memory of Robertus Scriba.§.vi. Were the Obituaries, or Obit Books of Bridlington now remaining, it is probable something certain about his Death might be learned from them. The Diligence of the Monks in registring. Many old Chartularies still in private hands, that ought to be search'd by men of a true genius. The Chronicle of England written by Thomas Blount, Esq; §. VI. Notwithstanding the French Tongue was so much in vogue in Peter Langtoft's Time, yet there were multitudes besides that despised it. The Normans not able utterly to extirpate the Saxon Language. The ill Consequence from the Endeavours that were us'd to that purpose. §.vIII. Robert of Brunne one of those that cultivated the English Tongue, and he gained a great Reputation upon that score. This Robert of Brunne lived to a great age, tho' the year in which he died doth not yet occur. § 1x. He was not descended from the Founder of St. Mary Spittle extra Bishop's Gate. His Translation of Peter de Langtoft had it's intended Effect. Many Copies of it formerly, tho' it be now scarce. The The Stories in it us'd in old time instead of Ballads. §. x. Robert of Brunne a Man of a facetious merry Temper, yet without any Mixture of Immorality. The diligence of the Monks of Winchester in obstructing the Design of Joan of London. A Passage relating to the sedes stercoraria at Rome from an anonymous MS. Author. §. XI. 'Tis impossible to give a particular Account of the Life of Robert of Brunne. There are Precedents, as well in ancient as later Times, to justify any one in leaving behind him Memoirs of his own Life. Dr. Wallis left some particulars of this nature. The Dr's. Memorandum at the Beginning of a Book (in the Bodleian Library) containing many Things that he deciphered. §. x11. If Robert of Brunne had any Epitaph, it seems to have been short, agreeable to those times, and to be now irretrievable. §. XIII. Peter Langtoft's Origi nal, as well as Robert of Brunne's English Work, consists of two Parts, the first Part of which is here omitted, as containing nothing but Geffry of Monmouth. A Passage out of Rastall's Chronicle about Stone-henge. §. XIV, The exactness made use of in publishing this piece of ancient History. To gratify some Readers, several Specimens of the French are also made publick with it. §. xv. And, for further Satisfaction, the Conclusion of the French MS. that belongs to the Heralds Office, is here inserted in this Preface. §. xvI. Out of which MS is here likewise published a Note concerning Hugo 1. Car, |